Tools for a Mechanical Engineering Student?

[dr_clyde]

Hey Guys,

My summer helper is a mechanical engineering student, and he's got a good future ahead of him. I have enjoyed having him in the shop this past summer, and would like to get him a nice tool as a thank you when he goes back to school in the fall.

He's into autocross and snowmobiles, and I can see he's going to really like machining/fab work from what he's said running my machines.

I'd like it to be something that he'll use in his trade, but may not want to buy for himself at this stage of his life. I was thinking a nice dial caliper or combination square, something like that. He's got a pretty decent selection of mechanic's tools, so I'm looking at more precision/fab related tools.

He doesn't have a ton of really nice tools yet, but working with him the past few months I can see he will appreciate and take care of a nice tool.

What would you guys recommend? I'd like to stay below $200.

 

[jd_1138]

torque wrench
dial caliper

 

[Kamanhart]

My most used hand tool on the job at my firm is my 6" or 8" dial caliper. Followed closely by my Starrett 6" rule.

 

[hangfirew8]

A license to a top CAD package.

 

[fasteddie313]

Nice laptop, high end computer chair, office plants maybe?

 

[fasteddie313]

Ok seriously, a nice dial caliper would be cool. A good one..

Mitutoyo, Brown&sharp, or Starrett...

I think a nice vintage one in very good condition with the well crafted old wood boxes would be very nice.. Or a new one, I like old stuff though..

 

[MadMark]

If you get a caliper, make it digital, he may have to design in metric.

 

[shamrock12]

Starrett dial caliper

 

[helterskelter]

-Mitutoyo 6'' digimatic caliper
-6" starrett scale
-10x bosch and lomb pocket loupe

Just a note. Any green engineer that showed up with the above mentioned tools (and knew how to use them) would impress me that they took it seriously and had a small idea about what they were doing. Only other thing to add would be a .0001 reading mitutoyo 0-1 micrometer.

 

[fatfillup]

wow, that is a nice gesture and you have gotten some great ideas!!

 

[GCncsuHD]

I'd say a nice set of calipers would be great, and would be well used. My father in law got me nice 6" Starrett dial calipers after I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree. (I also worked in a shop he supervised for a summer while in school running the lathe and milling machines). I have several digital calipers I use out in the shop, but that Starrett dial set stays on my desk and gets used daily.

Nice laptop, high end computer chair, office plants maybe?

Definitely the chair, both of my previous places of employment have been sorely (pun intended) lacking in the seating department.

 

[MattN03]

-Mitutoyo 6'' digimatic caliper

This...I use these regularly doing mechanical engineering, jig & fixture design. Sometimes, I wish I had the 8" version, but I just borrow a Tool Makers pair if necessary.

 

[rlitman]

+1 to the digimatic. Maybe a nice custom engraving to take it to the next level?

 

[justanengineer]

Dial calipers and/or a copy of Machinery's Handbook.

 

[Davefr]

The caliper idea is good but definitely get him Mitutoyo Digimatic vs dial. (the "youngsters" love digital).

However I'd get him a Starrett Precision Square. Now take it to a place that engraves trophies and come up with a few eloquent words.

A simple square is still one of the most important tools any engineer/machinist should have.

You could also try this site. There focus is more woodwoorking vs. machinist but they make some beautiful stuff.

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/tools/squares.html

What you're doing is really neat!!! You're a "class act".

 

[chris_1001]

If you get a caliper, make it digital, he may have to design in metric.

This and make is a high quality one.

As an engineer, it's the one thing I always use at work. Having the ability to do both Metric and English is a life saver

 

[b7labelle]

I'm an ME...the main tools I have a use for at work are a DMM, wire strippers, pin crimpers (deutsch), small pliers, screw drivers, t handle hex drivers... Stuff like that.

Sometimes I wish I had a jumpsuit to work in, to keep my dress clothes from getting greasy.

Steel toe work boots.

If he ends up not working for himself, his employer will supply laptop and software.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I'm going to go a completely different direction and say pocket knife or sheath knife. Even better for a Mechanical Engineer would be to get some O1 tool steel and make one for him. My son and I (He's a Mechanical Engineering student as well) are currently making a Father/Son set I hope will turn out nicely.

They teach you all about the microstructure of steels in ME. Things like ferrite, austenite, martensite, grain boundaries, work hardening and all that other theory is REALLY just so many words until the first time you put an annealed piece of steel into a furnace and heat treat it properly and BY GOSH IT DOES GET HARD...just like the book said it would.

Glorious.

Phil

 

[PCustoms]

Former ME student here ('10) and current MFG Engineer/Maintenance Superintendent.

The tools I have used over the years have always varied, from basic hand tools up to $500k inspection equipment. Over the years he will amass a lot of tools, tooling and the knowledge to use it all.


Get him either a nice engraved/etched digital caliper (convenience of metric) or the Machinists Handbook.

I often wish I have both, but haven't sprung for either. When I have needed the handbook there has always been a copy available (often from one of the "old timer" machinists) but having my own copy, especially if given to me by a machinist, would be perfect.

 

[ncfh]

Lots of tools will come and go in a career.

But a nice measuring tool will probably hang around while especially if their are some memories attached.

I say a nice set of calipers.

 

[LG63]

I agree on the dial caliper but I'm really surprised at the number of suggestions for digital. I much prefer dial because you have a frame of reference when glancing at the dial. Especially important when you're looking for an incremental change in dimension.

My go to calipers are 8", mainly because they have a better balance in my hand than smaller ones.

 

[A_Pmech]

Machinery's handbook and another vote for a mitutoyo digimatic.

 

[bcradio]

Slacks and maybe some dress shirts

 

[dr_clyde]

Sounds like a nice caliper will fit the bill. Thanks guys.

 

[Mooky]

Another direction, but a tool nonetheless. Engraved Fisher Space pen. I give them to all of my interns.

 

[b7labelle]

Another direction, but a tool nonetheless. Engraved Fisher Space pen. I give them to all of my interns.

That would be a nice gift.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Forget the expensive calipers. There are some decent digital ones under $50 (iGaging IP54). If you want to measure anything more accurately, use a micrometer.

A good 6" pocket scale is a must.

If he is a really "handy" sort of person, a Leatherman is nice also.

 

[leg17]

Machinery's handbook and another vote for a mitutoyo digimatic.

Machinery's Handbook

 

[TXBDan]

This is a great idea.

Mechanical Engineering is a VERY broad field. Narrowing it down a bit may help.

I do like the idea of a caliper, but I like the idea of something old/vintage of high quality. Sure, new digital is useful, but it won't be a lasting keepsake. Besides, depending on what he does, he may have to use company calibrated equipment, etc.

I'm a EE/mechanisms engineer in aerospace/defense and while we have lots of digital calipers in the labs, none are really special. But a nice vintage piece would be worthy of sitting on the desk and talking about.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

This is a great idea.

Mechanical Engineering is a VERY broad field. Narrowing it down a bit may help.

I do like the idea of a caliper, but I like the idea of something old/vintage of high quality. Sure, new digital is useful, but it won't be a lasting keepsake. Besides, depending on what he does, he may have to use company calibrated equipment, etc.

I'm a EE/mechanisms engineer in aerospace/defense and while we have lots of digital calipers in the labs, none are really special. But a nice vintage piece would be worthy of sitting on the desk and talking about.

Yep keep that in mind. Depending where he works, some places you aren't allowed to use your own precision measuring tools.

 

[dr_clyde]

I feel like a nice dial caliper is worth owning regardless of what you do for a living. They last a long time, have no batteries to worry about, and are handy to keep at the desk for doing models and drawings. If he wants to get a fancy digital, more power to him. I just don't personally care for keeping track of batteries.

 

[helterskelter]

My digimatics have been sitting on my desk ON for the last 5 years. It's not really a hassle keeping up with a battery that never seems to die. Cheap calipers may be fine for the house but not in a working environment. I assumed this was a gift he could carry with him to his career?

Dial calipers are nice in certain instances (I have both and use them for different types of work), but the digital are the more versatile set.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

Good digital calipers.


He's into autocross? Tell him to join a Formula SAE team, that will boost his career as a mechanical engineer far greater than anything else he'll do while in school.

 

[Outlander]

Ok seriously, a nice dial caliper would be cool. A good one..

Mitutoyo, Brown&sharp, or Starrett...

I think a nice vintage one in very good condition with the well crafted old wood boxes would be very nice.. Or a new one, I like old stuff though..

I like the calipers idea. I used my uncle's last week...brought back fond memories.

 

[dr_clyde]

Good digital calipers.


He's into autocross? Tell him to join a Formula SAE team, that will boost his career as a mechanical engineer far greater than anything else he'll do while in school.

He's on the school Baja team already. He seems to have a good grasp on reality. Although, I gave him a few projects this summer that taught him the difference between the needs/wants of the maker and the needs/wants of the customer. It's been a good experience in "just because you can doesn't mean you should".

 

[jlenander]

+1 on the Mitutoyo calipers and the Machinery 's Handbook. Take the time to write on the inside cover how much you appreciated his work this Summer, and wish him the best in his career. He'll enjoy and use the calipers for a long time. He'll cherish the book his entire life.
Jon

 

[Spudland_Dave]

A license to a top CAD package.

While useful...software is so "temporary" due to such a short lifecycle..for a thoughtful, long term gift...not something I'd want to give/receive...

Lots of tools will come and go in a career.

This...

Personally I wouldn't overthink it...some tools (like calipers) are very touchy feely...some guys swear by Starett, others are Mituyto guys...etc...

My vote would be to get a really nice useful tool...I personally don't know WHAT he would want, but something like a 1/2" drive Snap On ratchet, your pick of style...and have it laser engraved with a personal thank you note or message...something that he can and WILL use and always remember where it came from. Secondly...if he ends up changing careers down the road...sound like he'd still make use of a "normal" tool in his hobbies...

Some of my most valued tools are ones my Dad engraved with his name...

 

[Leoruiz]

Speedglas welding helmet.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

He's on the school Baja team already. He seems to have a good grasp on reality. Although, I gave him a few projects this summer that taught him the difference between the needs/wants of the maker and the needs/wants of the customer. It's been a good experience in "just because you can doesn't mean you should".

Sounds good, it is totally worth the commitment of being on a team. Real world engineering problems are in your face and your team has to handle them accordingly.

 

[LennyTheLizard]

I'm a mechanical engineer for the last ~20 years. I instantly thought of the perfect gift, but looks like a few have already suggested.

The Machinery Handbook will be an invaluable tool that will be used many times through his career and will stick around for a long time. I especially think if you were to write a private message inside as suggested above, it would be the most prized tool in the tool box.

If it must be a tool, the Mitutoya Digimatic Calipers are great!